I was craving a simple vegetable soup…something to use up all the potatoes, carrots, and tomatoes that we keep buying because we forget we have a surplus. I stumbled on this recipe from Alton Brown, and despite the lack of spices, decided to adapt it to fit our family’s tastes.
I was initially put off by the lack of spices–my favorite soup, Sweet Potato and Lentil, has...
read more

We’ve gone gluten-free in our house. I’m trying to help manage suspected Hashimoto’s by eliminating wheat, barley, rye, and switching to gluten-free oats and tamari (vs soy sauce), and so far it’s made a big difference in how I feel. No more brain fog. No more required mid-day nap. And the shrinking of my waistline (2 inches in just one week) is a bonus too. If...
read more

Happy Easter! I wanted to try out some new recipes for the holiday, so I made a variation of a Butternut, Leek and Toasted Nut Risotto. It was time-consuming and a lot of work, so I had high expectations and really wanted it to be spectacular. Unfortunately…it wasn’t. I thought it was just good. My husband thought it was okay. The kids tried a couple bites and didn’t...
read more

I’ve sung the praises of Penzey’s spices before, and I’m back to do it again! When I saw a soup recipe in their recent catalog, I had to give it a try because it has spices I love, like curry and Berbere, as well as ingredients like potatoes, bell peppers, and coconut milk. It was a no-brainer!
I make this soup using homemade Berbere, because traditional is a wee hot...
read more

My sister recently sent me a coupon to try out a new box subscription service, Graze. You may remember from my post on Birchbox that I love the “Christmas present” aspect of subscription boxes–the anticipation, excitement, and surprise that accompanies each. So I went ahead and signed up online. When you sign up using your invite code, you can review more than 90 snack...
read more

Although I love the two chilis that I make most frequently–Crockpot Vegan Chili and CCK’s Sweet Potato Chili–I was on the lookout for a recipe that required way less peeling and chopping. Let’s be honest–most of the time we want FAST, easy, and healthy meals. This one came together, start to table, in less than 30 minutes. It was a nice change using white...
read more

This recipe is adapted from one in an old issue of Vegetarian Times called “Three Sisters Casserole”–so named because corn, beans, and squash are the “three sisters” in some Native American cultures. This filling casserole has top and bottom crusts made of flavored polenta and a veggie-tastic filling with mild spices. We all enjoyed it immensely and agreed...
read more

I have no idea what I’m making for Christmas dinner this year. It very well might end up being tortilla soup or something else insanely fast and easy. But in the pursuit of finding a worthy holiday meal, I am trying out new casserole recipes tonight and tomorrow night. Tonight’s wild rice casserole was a huge hit with the hubby but received a lukewarm reception from the kids....
read more

I was embarrassed to see that my last recipe post was made almost 3 months ago. It’s not that I haven’t been cooking a lot, but with this summer’s move, I’ve been focusing on fast, familiar recipes. Gnocchi and pasta are my friends. Still, this recipe, which reminds me of Creamy Potato and Leek Soup, was a delicious dinner tonight, and very simple to...
read more

You know how when you’re sick, all you want is a warm, comforting soup? Back in the day, my go-to was a can of Campbell’s Chicken Noodle Soup. Now, I turn to healthier and tastier alternatives. This soup uses fresh veggies and whole wheat pasta and tastes wonderful when it’s reheated too!
This recipe is adapted from one by Mary Rondinelli in the Penzey’s...
read more

After more than a year and a half of a nutritarian lifestyle, I think I was starting to lose perspective. People eat basically healthy, I thought, so what’s with all the disturbing health news? I was brought back to reality when I saw this recent Meijer sale ad insert in the Sunday paper. It lists “5 days of family meals for under $50.” The meals are 1) toaster waffles...
read more

When my husband first mentioned he had a hankering for dirt cake, I was a little intimidated by the challenge of the normally dairy-heavy dessert. I scratched my head and wondered, how in the world would I be able to recreate a recipe that normally contains butter, cream cheese, and Cool Whip? And, yes, I’m aware there are “vegan” versions of all of those, but I refuse...
read more

Recent Posts

Faster than a speeding couch potato! Able to leap the produce aisle in a single bound! Welcome to Super Veggie Mom, which chronicles my efforts to raise a plant-strong, creative, and bright family while pursuing my own writing and fitness interests.